Sometimes People Irritate Me

I work for a non-profit crisis center. We deal with Suicide, Sexual Assault, Prevention Education, and Information and referral services for people in need. My main job is to recruit and train volunteer sexual assault advocates to respond to the hospitals or law enforcement agencies when a sexual assault victim reports. I also teach classes in the community on the prevention of child sexual abuse.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which, as you can well imagine, is a VERY busy time for us. We do lots of events throughout the community the entire month. This year, as many of our volunteer advocates are students at the university across the street, when I was asking for suggestions of possible ways to get the message out across the campus, one of our advocates came to me with a wonderful performance art piece that she wants to put on.
This was a great idea, and would really help those who have never been victimized to perhaps understand just a minute amount of the pain and shame associated with being a victim.
But, I was forced to face reality. College campuses are not exactly wanting to let the word out that sexual assault occurs on their campus. Shhhhhh! Don't talk about it!
Anyway, I had to play politics... which I HATE... I am so not into playing nice with territorial, self indulgent people. But, I went to a meeting with the head of the counselling center today. A more territorial woman, I don't believe I have ever met.
What was worse, in my mind, is the fact that we are both trying to do the same thing! We both have a vested interest in helping survivors to deal with the assault and to reach a place of healing and strength. But, you would not believe the tap dance I had to do today to get the woman to allow a student living on that campus to set up a performance piece on campus. It really made me ill. She had no objection to the performance art... her objection was the fact that the student was performing it to raise awareness of our agency and the services we provide to anyone in need.
As I said... sometimes people irritate me.

She Did Everything She Could To Stay Alive?

So... once again, after the tragic death of this poor woman at the hands of a madman who perhaps should have been drowned at birth; politicians and media jackals are spouting out their "sadness" at the loss of a young, vibrant woman. I must say... I SO AGREE WITH LAWDOG ON THIS! check out his post dear readers, (should I actually have any) if that woman had been allowed and/or encouraged *gasp* to learn about firearms and to carry protection with her, the story may have ended quite differently.
Although, in this country, which I love with all my heart, don't get me wrong, she would most likely have been arrested, charged, and thrown in jail, then successfully sued by the perp's remaining gene pool.
As the title of my blog will attest, I am soon to become a resident of the Lonestar State. Very soon upon attaining my residency of that wonderful bit of earth, I fully intend to take training in the safe handling of firearms, and purchase my own brand of self-protection!
I admit, I have always had a major fear on for guns, ever since watching my drunken father attempt to blow my mother's head off one fine summer day. But, I was WRONG to fear the tool instead of the operator!
If any of you just happen to reside in the Dallas/Plano area of Texas, perhaps you could steer me in the proper direction toward attaining my goal? I am looking for a good, reputable place to learn about handgun safety and firing, and to make an educated choice in the selection of my own weapon.
Thanks for reading!